To mark one week before the start of Africa’s first Netball World Cup, the City of Cape Town hoisted the flags of the participating nations on Coen Steytler Roundabout right outside the tournament venue to officially welcome the competitors. Read more below:
The 16 flags will remain on the Coen Steytler Roundabout outside the CTICC until the end of the tournament in two weeks’ time.
The participating teams include host nation South Africa, defending champions New Zealand, Australia, Barbados, England, Fiji, Jamaica, Malawi, Scotland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Wales and Zimbabwe.
The teams will be battling it out from next Friday, 28 July 2023 with the hopes of being crowned the new champions of the quadrennial.
‘All the preparations and work we have put in over the last five years has all led to this moment. Raising these flags just outside the tournament venue with one week to go and seeing the teams arrive in our city has made this a reality.
‘The City of Cape Town is geared up and ready to assist the local organising committee to execute this tournament. Our Events Department is putting the final touches to the mega Fan Park outside the CTICC which will be the official free viewing area for those without match tickets and our Safety and Security agencies have finalised their plans to ensure this event is safe and an enjoyable experience for all players, spectators and those working this tournament,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security Alderman Smith.
Fan Park
Alderman Smith also took members of the media on a walkabout of the site of the Fan Park where construction is currently taking place, to give them a glimpse into our preparations for the tournament fun zone.
In five days, the space will be the site of the Fan Park launch concert on Wednesday, 26 July 2023.
With live performances from Nasty C, Simmy, Goodluck, Emo Adams, DJ Grant Lesch and Kurt Darren, the concert will set the tone for an exciting 10-day tournament.
Situated on Walter Sisulu Drive between Heerengracht and Buitengracht, the Fan Park will be a hive of all things netball from Netball World Cup games on a big screen, netball exhibition games and live music performances.
Spectators can also expect Fan Park days filled with action packed activities including:
- Kids’ Corner with games such as Jenga, jumping castle, face painting and giant chess
- Cape Town Carnival Floats and cultural performances
- Daily giveaways
- Sporting Chance Street Netball Challenge Finals
- Food Court with outdoor seating, snacks, hot beverages and a beer garden.
Local mural artists will also transform the pavement on Lower Loop Street into a netball-themed art piece. Members of the public will have the opportunity to join the artists in painting the pavement.
The Fan Park will be open daily from 07:00 and close after the final match of the day.
The Netball World Cup gets under way on 28 July and runs until 6 August 2023.
Tickets for some of the games are still available at https://nwc2023.org.za/tickets/
Road Closures
Due to the Netball World Cup and the Fan Park, a number of roads will be closed and traffic flow will be affected from 21 July to 7 August 2023.
Motorists are advised to use alternative routes when travelling through the CBD.
A more comprehensive list of road closures is available here: https://bit.ly/3Y89X1a
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